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The Ties that Bind, Knots: Two Half Hitches

The Double Half-Hitch has been used for centuries for numerous purposes. The origins are unknown, but it can date back easily to the ancient times.

Some Uses for the Two Half Hitches:

Tying a rope to a tree – to pull the tree over.

Tying a rope to a tree – to keep people from pulling you over.

Tying a rope to a tree – so you can repel off a cliff.

Tying a rope to a truck – so you can pull another truck.

Any act that includes tying a rope to an object wherein the rope needs to be able to hold tight to the object it is tied to.

The Two Half Hitch is a very useful knot for the outdoors. Whether setting up a tent and tying guidelines to tent stakes, or securing a bear bag in a tree this knot is sure to perform excellently.

This particular arrangement of Half Hitches causes the knot, when pressure or force is applied to the rope, to tighten around the object it is tied to. If you would like for the knot to stay a certain distance from the tree or object then a Taught Line Hitch or a Bowline would be a better knot.

How to tie a Two Half Hitches (from Wikipedia):

Begin by forming a clockwise loop around the pole, with the working end of the rope on top. Bring the working end through the loop. At this point, you have an overhand knot around the pole.

Bring the working end down and to the left. Loop it under the standing end. Pull the working end through the loop just formed, tighten, and slide the knot along the standing end up to the post.

A correctly tied two half hitches resembles a clove hitch tied around the standing end of the line, not a cow hitch.

Do you have any input on this knot and it’s uses? Feel free to add more in the comments section.

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